Self-sustainable model: DSOs ordered to build shops in new sports schemes

LAHORE: Build as many shops and markets as possible in new sports schemes under the self-sustainable model. Secretary Youth Affairs Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial issued this direction to divisional sports officers (DSOs) while presiding over a meeting at Punjab Stadium here on Thursday.

He said all the divisional sports officers should visit the sites of sports schemes to assess the possibilities of revenue generation from these sports venues.

The meeting was convened to find ways and means about how to earn revenue from new and existing sports schemes. The models of a couple of sports schemes were also shown through slides in the meeting. Addressing the meeting, Secretary Youth Affairs Punjab said that new sports schemes will be launched in the next Annual Development Programme (ADP) in 91 such provincial constituencies in different districts of the province where there is no sports facility is available. “A total of 19 sports schemes will be launched in Lahore, 14 in DG Khan, 13 in Gujranwala, 10 in Faisalabad, 9 in Multan, 6 in Rawalpindi, 5 in Sahiwal and 4 in Sargodha”.

He issued instructed all DSOs to ensure the fact that the venue of new sports schemes should be cleared from all kinds of disputes or controversies and above all accessible to athletes of that particular area. “There should be maximum sports facilities for male and female athletes such as jogging tack, sports courts, open and indoor gymnasiums, cricket, football and hockey grounds etc in the new sports schemes”.

Secretary Youth Affairs Punjab further informed that 113 sports schemes will be rehabilitated in different districts of the province. “Punjab Sports Department is taking all possible measures for player development besides promoting healthy trends among the young generation”.

Additional Secretary Sports Farhan Farooq, Deputy Secretary Marhaba Naimat, Project Director PMU Qaiser Raza, DG Youth Affairs and Sports Punjab Pervez Iqbal, Deputy Director Tariq Khanzada and all Divisional Sports Officers of the province attended the high profile meeting.

DG Youth Affairs said that after completion, these sports schemes would help a lot in providing maximum playing opportunities to talented male and female athletes of the province. “These sports projects are being built and rehabilitated in accordance with the vision of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz,” he added. He said that the promotion of sports culture among the younger generation and welfare of the sports community of the province is our prime objective. “The separate indoor gymnasiums will also be built in the new sports schemes for female athletes”.